January 26th, 2009
By Mark
Diane - I liked your editorial that was carried in the Union Tribune in San Diego on January 25, 2009 titled “California’s undeclared bankruptcy.” A copy of it is below my note to you. Yes, we need to know our borrowing limitations. More importantly, we need to balance a budget. I am embarrassed to live in a city (San Diego) that is near bankruptcy, a state (California) that is near bankruptcy and a federal government that is on its way to bankruptcy.
As stated in an editorial in the UT on January 26, 2009, California already has the nation’s highest sales tax, personal income tax and gasoline tax. Our corporate tax rate is the highest in the west and our property is at par with the nation. We have a problem and the first place to look is our expenses.
This is not rocket science. This is gut wrenching work and elected officials need (more…)
January 14th, 2009
By Mark
I did not give $20 out last week. It never seemed like the right time. I don’t want to give to the folks who beg at street corners. They don’t seem to be homeless. Some seem like professional beggars. Not that precludes me from giving them money, but that is not my current focus. The regular homeless folks in La Jolla seem to be moved out. I don’t know if the police moved them out or if the cold weather makes them find a different place to live. (more…)
January 03rd, 2009
By Mark
I have a friend Ivy Gordon who is a fellow Vistage Chair. She described to me a new practice her group was doing for 2009. It’s called “random acts of kindness”. Each month every member would give the hosting member $10. Ivy has about 16 members in her group, so the total would be in the $140 range assuming an occasional absent member. The hosting member has an assignment to find a person (or several) that could use a cash gift with the understanding that one day they will “pay it forward”. The only rule is that they can’t give it to a charity unless they can give it directly to a person they have met who needs it. The next meeting the host will tell the stories of the people he/she gifted and why. I liked the concept. (more…)